i gotta ask this (concerns relatives and dinner)

[onethatcares]

a cousin that I haven't had any contact with in the past 40 years is visiting our hot as hell state (floriduh).

I received an email asking if me and mine can make some time to get together and relive old times, haahhahhahahha, there aren't any but my best friend and wife said go ahead and let's get together so we're gonna go to a tapas restaurant on the left coast for dinner on wednesday. Has anyone ever been to a tapas type place?

Has anyone ever been to a tapas type place on the west coast of floriduh above sarrysota?

what's the dress code? can I wear shorts or do I have to wear long pants, black shoe things and a button style shirt?

I'm not going to discuss any political type things but does anyone know which way Connecticut is leaning as of today?

[RebelOne]

1. Even though you are in Florida, I wouldn't wear shorts in the evening to dinner.

I would say the dress code is casual.

[trof]

2. Aren't shorts acceptable about anywhere in FL?

[OriginalGeek]

3. Well I live in Orlando and the only Tapas place I've been to is here

but I have been to other restaurants on both coasts and once we went to an expensive fancy cuisine type steak place and when I called to make the reservations I asked if they had a dress a code and the manager sighed and said "well, sir, thank you for asking. We do want to have people come in dressed up. We don't ask for coats and ties but pants and dresses would be lovely. Alas (yes! He actually said "alas"!), we are in Florida - we are ecstatic if they don't come in for dinner in flip-flops." (By the way, that was at Collage in St. Augustine - great food if anyone is in that area)

I'd feel out of place in less than coat and tie at Bern's in Tampa but everywhere else I've been I am surprised when 3/4ths of the men aren't wearing shorts and Hawaiian flowerdy shirts. And that includes Del Frisco;s and Charley's.

If you are going to Columbia they will welcome you in nice shorts and a nice Tommy Bahama shirt. If you are NOT going to Columbia, change your plans and go there! They are magnificent.

[Chan790]

4. Well, I'm not in Florida.

But Tapas is like Dim Sum, it's casual. Casual slacks and cabana-wear casual...maybe seersucker or linen if I was feeling dandy today. (I can't say for shorts. My personal ethos says that no guy over the age of 8 should ever wear short-pants in public unless exercising*...so I'd never be caught at dinner in shorts unless I was in my own living-room and had the trips. Probably not then either.)

I actually laugh because I've been to more-authentic places (the ones not trying to cater to Americans but rather to non-native Spanish speakers) and it's way more casual still...as in people will look at you funny for objecting to people eating off each others' plates...or your plate. So you say something...and they offer you their plate graciously with both hands and a "Comé!" (Eat!) when what you really want is for them to have not stolen the last pork cracklin' off your plate. Share and share alike indeed Jorge**, you chicharrón-thieving Peruvian mule's-bride. Pass the goddamned sangría and you'd better come through later when I'm trying to bed that pretty half-Spaniard Argentine waitress and need a wingman. (I don't know why the pork-rind had me so worked up; I'm a vegan, I wasn't going to eat it.)

*-In case anybody was wondering: yes, someday I will record and codify these simple three hundred eighteen rules of personal code.

**-This is not a generalized insult or a stand-in like referring to all Hispanic men as Jose. Jorge really was my dining partner, a friend and former coworker and a pork-thief. Also Peruvian and he once tried to feed me pigeon even after I explained that I don't eat meat. Despite my outburst, he does not factually get f**ked by mules.

[elleng]

5. Sorry we can't do Barcelona together, Chan,

but wanna meet at Jaleo???


And YES, the idea of Tapas is to SHARE the variety of dishes ordered at the table!!!

[aikoaiko]

6. Slacks and button down shirt. Maybe a jacket.

Tapas bars are Spanish and, therefore, the later you attend the darker the clothing.

Let the rioja flow!

[HopeHoops]

7. Stir things up. Go naked.